Highams Park woman, 94, tricked by burglar

A thief tricked his way into the home of a 94-year-old woman and stole £500.

The man claimed to be from the water board when he called at the house in Handsworth Avenue in Highams Park at 7am on July 28.

Police say there have been reports of five similar distraction burglaries in the borough over the last three months.

A spokeswoman said: "We would like to urge families and social workers to give more help and support to any vulnerable relatives and to ensure they know what to do when a stranger knocks on their door.

"Some simple crime prevention tip can be given such as always use a door chain so the door can be opened slightly and check through a spy hole or window before opening the door.

"Ask to be shown ID and take a good long look at it and don’t them just flash it in front of your. Call the company they claim to be from, or if you think they are not genuine call 999."

Comments

Thunderbird4
3:17pm Thu 7 Aug 14

If you're interested, a man in Waltham Abbey had £9,000 taken and a man in Forest gate had £8,000 taken. The first gave his new friend his Post Office card and pin number; the second believed the caller who said he would fix the roof.
Well, at least the money will be spent, rather than hanging around in an account, earning interest. Interest, of course, is not a gift of the bankers, it is the sweat of the poor who are paid low wages.

If you're interested, a man in Waltham Abbey had £9,000 taken and a man in Forest gate had £8,000 taken. The first gave his new friend his Post Office card and pin number; the second believed the caller who said he would fix the roof.
Well, at least the money will be spent, rather than hanging around in an account, earning interest. Interest, of course, is not a gift of the bankers, it is the sweat of the poor who are paid low wages.Thunderbird4

If you're interested, a man in Waltham Abbey had £9,000 taken and a man in Forest gate had £8,000 taken. The first gave his new friend his Post Office card and pin number; the second believed the caller who said he would fix the roof.
Well, at least the money will be spent, rather than hanging around in an account, earning interest. Interest, of course, is not a gift of the bankers, it is the sweat of the poor who are paid low wages.

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